The Brentwood Police Department is gearing up to combat impaired driving by setting up a DUI checkpoint later this week. Balfour Road will play host to this law enforcement effort, announced to be operational on December 29, from 6 p.m. to midnight.

In a statement obtained by the City of Brentwood Police Department, the spot for the roadblock has been chosen based on previous incidents of DUI-related crashes and arrests. Their aim, however, is not simply to catch and detain, but to promote public safety and discourage individuals from getting behind the wheel while under the influence. Still, during this operation, officers will be vigilant for any signs of impairment due to alcohol and/or drugs.

According to the Brentwood Police, this initiative is a critical step toward ensuring the safety of those traveling on public roads. A sharp reminder comes with the announcement: impairment isn't exclusively due to alcohol consumption. Prescription medications and even over-the-counter drugs can have effects that are detrimental to one's ability to drive safely. Moreover, despite the legality of medicinal and recreational marijuana, operating a vehicle under its influence remains illegal.

Driving under the influence comes with a hefty price tag for first-timers – the department cautions that you could be hit with fines and penalties averaging $13,500, not to mention, a suspended license. This checkpoint, as the department has highlighted, is financed by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.